Dubai // An Emirati man has designed a computer mouse that uses facial recognition technology to allow disabled people to use computers.
"Through our software, we can help people with special needs to be integrated into society," said Hashim Abdullah Al Musaabi, the founder of SmartSoft company.
According to Mr Al Musaabi, the iMouse is the first software capable of detecting an eye wink to stimulate a right and left mouse click.
The software, which is registered with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, aims to enable those with special needs to join the workforce.
For example, the software can help the disabled to obtain their International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), the global standard for computer skills.
"They can then be employed in governmental and non-governmental positions," said Mr Al Musaabi. He said he had visited people with special needs in their homes, at hospitals, and even in neighbouring Gulf countries to conduct research. Any computer with a webcam and a Windows operating system can use the software, but Mr Al Musaabi warns it may not be suited to all individuals.
"We have done some experiments and the software does not suit all people with special needs. For example, not all were able to wink twice, to resemble the mouse double-click," he said.
Hence, a recent update has been added to the software to make it helpful to a wider audience.
"We've added a new unique feature where a person can move the mouse cursor and give orders with voice commands. The person can say 'up' to make the mouse go up," Mr Al Musaabi explained.
The iMouse can be moved through voice commands in any language the user prefers.
Mohammed Al Tamimi, 35, a quadriplegic who has been using the software for two months, said the software could help pave the way to employment.
"It will help at a larger scale," said Mr Al Tamimi, who aims to complete Grade 11 next year. "Not everyone with special needs has a source of income and the person needs to make his own way with his best ability," he said. "I really hope this programme gets installed at the special needs centre."
Mr Al Tamimi hopes to finish his education and get a scholarship to study abroad, but finding part-time jobs has been difficult.
"Sometimes they say, 'We can't accept those with special needs'. But we live in a developed country, nothing is impossible," he said.
Another grateful user of the iMouse is 15-year-old Mohammed Khalfan, who has cerebral palsy. His mother says the software has had a positive effect since he started using it one month ago.
"This programme has developed his reading skills, although it does take some physical effort as he can only use his eyes," said Umm Mohammed Khalfan, the mother of the Grade 6 pupil from Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.
"The most important thing for me is that he learns how to use a computer," she said. "Inshallah, it will benefit his future."
In May, the iMouse software featured on a televised inventors' contest on Sharjah TV, Tomohaat Shabab. It won first place. It has also received interest from international companies and local companies who specialise in disabilities.
Although the software is not available on the market yet, people can order a copy directly from the company.
Mr Al Musaabi said he had approached the Khalifa Fund for backing. "We want it to be produced in the local market and get backed up by the UAE Government," he said. "This programme is distinguished and we want it to hold a logo 'made in the UAE'."
aalhaddad@thenational.ae
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster with a decades-long career in TV. He has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others. Karam is also the founder of Takreem.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Stoke City v Tottenham
Brentford v Newcastle United
Arsenal v Manchester City
Everton v Manchester United
All ties are to be played the week commencing December 21.
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (Turf) 1,400m. Winner: Al Ajeeb W’Rsan, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Jaci Wickham (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m racing. Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Onward, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown Prep Rated Conditions (PA) Dh 125,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: AF Arrab, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 90,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Irish Freedom, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
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Read more from Johann Chacko
MATCH INFO
Bayern Munich 2 Borussia Monchengladbach 1
Bayern: Zirkzee (26'), Goretzka (86')
Gladbach: Pavard (37' og)
Man of the Match: Breel Embolo (Borussia Monchengladbach)
MATCH INFO
Southampton 0
Manchester City 1 (Sterling 16')
Man of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
